Posted on May 12, 2022
Seattle's Duwamish Tribe files new lawsuit seeking federal recognition
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Seattle’s Duwamish Tribe renewed its quest for tribal sovereignty by filing a lawsuit against the U.S Department of the Interior on Wednesday. The tribe said the lack of federal recognition continues to cost its 600 enrolled members access to healthcare, scholarships, and other benefits.
“As an unrecognized tribe we have limitations, we cannot fully practice our culture," Desiree Fagan, a member of the tribal council, said. "We have to ask permission to display our own artifacts and care for our ancestor’s bones. We have had to buy back the land our longhouse stands on.”
The lawsuit comes as thousands of people are donating to the tribe’s operations through the nonprofit Real Rent Duwamish, and land acknowledgements put a spotlight on the loss of tribal lands.
At a press conference announcing the lawsuit at the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center on Wednesday, James Rasmussen, a member of the tribal council who has also led efforts to restore the Duwamish River, said the place and the people are inextricably linked.
“As an unrecognized tribe we have limitations, we cannot fully practice our culture," Desiree Fagan, a member of the tribal council, said. "We have to ask permission to display our own artifacts and care for our ancestor’s bones. We have had to buy back the land our longhouse stands on.”
The lawsuit comes as thousands of people are donating to the tribe’s operations through the nonprofit Real Rent Duwamish, and land acknowledgements put a spotlight on the loss of tribal lands.
At a press conference announcing the lawsuit at the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center on Wednesday, James Rasmussen, a member of the tribal council who has also led efforts to restore the Duwamish River, said the place and the people are inextricably linked.
Seattle's Duwamish Tribe files new lawsuit seeking federal recognition
Posted from kuow.org
Seattle
Native Americans
Lawsuit
Department of the Interior
Culture
Posted 2 y ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."In recent years Duwamish Tribe has offered cultural and environmental programs through its Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center.
The Muckleshoot Tribe contests the Duwamish claim for federal recognition, and has bought newspaper ads and radio underwriting, including on KUOW, to offer a different message. Their website states, "The Muckleshoot, Tulalip, and Puyallup Indian Tribes stand together in opposition to granting the Duwamish Organization federal recognition."
It states that a ruling upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1970s “affirmed United States’ recognition of the Muckleshoot Tribe as a political successor to Duwamish and Upper Puyallup bands that were party to the Treaties of Point Elliott and Medicine Creek, including the Duwamish band to which Chief Seattle belonged.” It also states, "More than 95 percent of the Muckleshoot Tribal members descend from the Duwamish People."
At Wednesday's press conference, James Rasmussen said his message to those opposing tribes is that, "Our fight is not with you. Our fight is with the federal government. And you should support this. Don’t listen to your attorneys that say we threaten you. We are your cousins.""
..."In recent years Duwamish Tribe has offered cultural and environmental programs through its Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center.
The Muckleshoot Tribe contests the Duwamish claim for federal recognition, and has bought newspaper ads and radio underwriting, including on KUOW, to offer a different message. Their website states, "The Muckleshoot, Tulalip, and Puyallup Indian Tribes stand together in opposition to granting the Duwamish Organization federal recognition."
It states that a ruling upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1970s “affirmed United States’ recognition of the Muckleshoot Tribe as a political successor to Duwamish and Upper Puyallup bands that were party to the Treaties of Point Elliott and Medicine Creek, including the Duwamish band to which Chief Seattle belonged.” It also states, "More than 95 percent of the Muckleshoot Tribal members descend from the Duwamish People."
At Wednesday's press conference, James Rasmussen said his message to those opposing tribes is that, "Our fight is not with you. Our fight is with the federal government. And you should support this. Don’t listen to your attorneys that say we threaten you. We are your cousins.""
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